Next Match

"Who manages the money collected?" Gizzlok asked.

Tartuk, the Orcs in charge of collecting money in the arena, had bulging eyes. He frowned at the Goblins; this seemed to be the sixth time he had shouted this today, and each time he asked the same question.

"It's me!" he said, adding that he knew what the Goblins was up to.

"Double the bet again," Gizzlok ordered. "It's been exciting today, lots of people bought tickets. And I've made a good amount of money."

Tartuk glanced at the arena for a few seconds, then looked down at Gizzlok and said, "Your gladiator is strong, but I think you should think carefully. He is facing Valishgunar, a cunning and skillful thief."

"How did it go when you described that guy named Broll Snakeskin as an experienced Druids?"

"It's Bearskin!"

"I don't care what kind of skin it is, it's not worth the price of a gladiator's performance anyway." Gizzlok tossed a bag of gold coins to the Orcs and nodded at him.

"Greedy Goblins. Well, I hope you don't regret it when your Undead pet gets beaten down." Tartuk walked away with the gold coins. The challenger was asking for the stakes to double, so Regar and the other gamblers would have to bet even more money.

Valishgunar — Orcs rising star fighter under the Regar —last faced a powerful deep- Naga. Valeera finished the fight in just three rounds. Today, her opponent is... an Undead, who has already defeated one of the Female Elf's companions.

Valeera gripped the dagger at her waist with both hands, itching to draw it, her eyes blazing as if she wanted to bore a hole through Nathanos. She had just seen Broll's injuries and was determined to teach the Undead a lesson.

Tell me your name.

"The Forgotten One," Nathanos said. "You should be able to tell this is just an anonymous account."

"I don't care what your name is, because you're going to hell soon."

The gladiatorial contest was officiated by a Troll, who waved his banner, and the match began. The two fighters circled each other in the center of the arena. Valeera never disappointed her audience—she drew her dagger, her eyes gleaming suggestively as she lightly licked it with her tongue.

This action put Nathanos on alert. Was she provoking him? Or was it just a smokescreen to make him mistakenly believe that the dagger wasn't poisoned?

Before you know your opponent's strength, it's best to lure them into attacking.

"You're so beautiful, I'm afraid your slave owner wouldn't just see you as a gladiator, would he?" Nathanos chuckled.

These words worked. Valeera flew into a rage and charged forward, transforming into a whirlwind of blades that swept across the battlefield, cutting through the air at an extremely unnatural angle. Nathanos, though startled, was prepared. In a split second, he raised Sulfuras to deflect a dagger and flung the Female Elf aside.

That moment felt like an eternity. Valeera completely lost her balance, her hands gripping the ground, and she flipped back twice before regaining her footing, but the brief moment she looked up was a fatal mistake.

Nathanos flicked his wrist, and with fluid grace, the sword in his hand was cleanly and swiftly placed against Valeera's throat.

The audience immediately erupted in cheers.

"You...it seems you've lost." Nathanos's words brought Valeera back to her senses, but her eyes conveyed three words: defiance.

"You won, but I didn't lose. You relied on trickery, not the weapons in your hand," Valeera replied, meaning that if the two of them were to fight head-on, she would definitely not lose.

Nathanos looked her in the eye and retorted, "As a Stealth, you seek a fair fight?"

"I'm not a thief, I don't do things sneakily."

"I didn't say anything sneaky, but you were so easily fooled."

"Because you insulted my dignity." Valeera's face flushed red as she glared fiercely at Nathanos.

So... you're very clean?

"You!"

Before the Female Elf could vent her anger, Nathanos withdrew his Sulfuras and turned away from Valeera. It was a perfect opportunity for a sneak attack; the Undead's back was completely exposed. But Valeera wasn't stupid. She saw it as a trap. If she attacked now, victory was uncertain, but her insistence on a fair and direct confrontation would be undermined.

Hold on, you must hold on. Valeera gritted her teeth and tried her best to control herself.

A few dozen paces away, Nathanos turned around. He wore an expression that Valeera recognized perfectly. It wasn't mockery, nor smugness. He was calm, and had prepared himself again.

About a minute later, the Undead pointed his sword at her. "I'll give you one more chance. Try to defeat me with all your might, or send your companions."

Valeera realized she was half a ring's distance from Nathanos. She knew she was wrong; she had underestimated her opponent. However, she had a new opportunity, which made her forget her previous defeat. Valeera charged at her opponent, her dagger flashing towards Nathanos with even greater speed. Before Nathanos could react, the Female Elf had slashed a gash across the Undead's cheek, then swung it several more times, drawing ever closer to Nathanos's throat. While the Witherer was still dealing with the two agile green daggers, Valeera seized the opportunity, raising her leg and delivering a powerful knee strike to Nathanos's abdomen.

The Lord of the Forsaken groaned in pain, forced to bend over to ease the agony. Valeera's lips curled into a slight smile, and with a practiced backflip, her toe struck the Undead squarely in the jaw.

Nathanos fell backward to the ground, seeing double images before his eyes.

Valeera had already raised her dagger, and with less than a minute until the duel was about to begin, she was ready to end Nathanos's life.

The dagger came at the Witherer's neck again, but this time he caught it with his bare hands. Valeera's eyes flashed with surprise. Nathanos let out a low growl, barely feeling the blade slice through his palm. In desperation, the Female Elf immediately used her other dagger, but the result was the same; Nathanos' right hand seized her left wrist.

"The tide has turned." Nathanos smiled, surprising Valeera that he could still laugh. The Undead's right hand tightened, forcing Valeera to open her left hand to ease the pain, and her dagger fell to the ground. Sensing that the threat on his right side had lessened considerably, Nathanos released Valeera's left hand while simultaneously grabbing her throat, then with all his might, he rose to his feet, slammed her to the ground, snatched her other dagger, and locked her in a tight grip.

The Undead don't need to breathe, but the living do. Valeera couldn't break free, and her breathing became increasingly difficult. According to the rules of the arena, she could slap her opponent's hand to concede defeat, which wasn't shameful, but she showed no sign of giving up; her gaze remained resolute.

"What a stubborn woman!" Nathanos said helplessly, abruptly releasing his grip on Valeera's neck. The Female Elf felt reborn, breathing heavily. The coolness on her neck still lingered.

Why didn't you kill me?

"We are just rivals, not enemies."

"What's the difference? I haven't admitted defeat to you!"

"That's right. If I were you, I would do the same. Even when I'm knocked to the ground, I would never give up. You can still pick up your weapon and continue attacking me, but... do you still have the strength?"

Valeera was still panting, but she had already stood up. The Undead was right; she was feeling exhausted, but her opponent was unaffected. The Undead were tireless.

"I lost." Valeera said this reluctantly, closing her eyes and lowering her head to avoid seeing Nathanos's expression as she conceded defeat.

He must be so proud of himself!

"You can rest now, ma'am. I need to prepare for the next match."

"The next game?" Valeera's disappointed expression vanished, replaced by a broad smile. "You won't be so lucky in the next game."